This is How Online Doctor Visits Are Playing a Key Role in Fighting Covid-19

With the aim to curb the spread of the coronavirus, people across the nation have been advised to stay in their homes. During this time, the use of telemedicine services is on the rise. The government recommends people to see medical professionals online using their technology devices, rather than visiting the doctors’ clinics physically. Recently, the Trump administration expanded telehealth covering Medicare recipients, allowing them to receive medical care by phone or video chat without paying extra charges.

Fight Against Coronavirus – How is Telemedicine Helping?

When it comes to curbing the spread of the coronavirus, social distancing is important. However, it’s more like a challenge, especially when you or a family member is suffering from a severe illness. In such a case, you become ready to break any rules. But, now, you need not put a step outside of your home to get medical care.

With telemedicine services, you can get remote care by professional doctors from home. Just like filling a form at the clinic’s reception, you need to fill a simple form providing your medical and personal details. Within minutes, a board-certified doctor will get connected to you over a digital platform. You can openly discuss your symptoms, get relevant answers to your questions, and receive medical advice instantly. Thus, telemedicine can help you to ensure one of the most important COVID-19 precautionary measures i.e. social isolation.

The government is advising people to choose telemedicine services over in-clinic visits. The US Department of Health and Human Services and The Trump administration have expanded telehealth services’ coverage to Medicare recipients.

“Medicare patients can now visit any doctor by phone or video conference at no additional cost. In addition, states have the authority to cover telehealth services for their medical patients,” Trump said.

Additionally, more healthcare providers are turning to telemedicine for all their routine and non-scheduled appointments. Last week, hospitals and clinics decided to cancel all their routine appointments.

However, there are some healthcare providers who haven’t invested in telemedicine services because of various reasons such as the cost of equipment.

“To keep patients out of our facilities, to ensure that we are able to triage them and say, ‘Hey, do you need to be seen or can we just check in with you on a daily basis? Or, god forbid, you need to be admitted to the hospital because symptoms have gotten so much worse. It truly is what we need because I can’t assess that over the phone. I need to see you”, said Dr. Thomas Brazelton. Dr. Brazelton is the Medical Director for UW Health’s telehealth program and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.

During the corona outbreak, the government ensures people get all the essential items of daily living. Thus, they have decided to keep all the essential businesses open during this hard time.

For cannabis users, medical dispensaries will stay open. However, patients need to maintain all the precautionary measures during their visit to the dispensary. These include wearing a safety mask, gloves, etc.

Patients can also talk to MMJ doctors using telemedicine services to get their MMJ cards through the email.

Covering things up, fighting with the coronavirus has become a challenge for us. Doctors, nurses, welfare organizations, the government…everyone is working hard to protect people from the COVID-19. We advise you to stay home and fight against the coronavirus together. Use telemedicine services to receive medical care from home instead of visiting the hospitals or clinics physically.

During the coronavirus lockdown, all the essential businesses will be kept open. However, you should take care of all the precautionary measures when going out. Also, before entering your home, make sure you clean your hands using an alcohol-based sanitizer. Take home the essential items, not coronavirus. Take care!

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Disclaimer

This information and advice published or made available through this website is not intended to replace the services of a physician or a health care professional acting under a physician’s supervision, nor does it fusion-columnsion-columnstitute a doctor-patient relationship.